I need a septoplasty due to a severely deviated septum and crooked nose from a fall. Can I get one safely? (photos)

Question

my nose is crooked from falling on my face last year. it isnt broke. i already had a deviated septum (probably for years) due to cocaine abuse from my earlier years. i havent used in well over a year. my ent advises to not do it as recovery is questionable. he said something to the affect of it collapsing no matter how long ago my usage was.. pleaase help b/c i cant live with a crooked nose forever and i have a hard time breathing and always sound nasal. are there any other options?

William Portuese, MD · Answer

To straighten a crooked nose requires a rhinoplasty procedure which involves osteotomies and cartilage grafting techniques such as a spreader graft. in many cases after cocaine abuse, there is no cartilage left for grafting purposes in the nose, sore ear cartilage was then required. A septoplasty was performed only for breathing purposes to improve air flow once medical necessity has been documented at the time of examination and consultation. For many examples and more information, please see the video below describing the differences between a rhinoplasty and a septoplasty.

Jay Calvert, MD, FACS · Answer

This is the kind of situation that calls for a very careful diagnostic workup and planning of an operation to not only straighten the nose, but also to support the change over time.  My impression is that you would require rib cartilage as a donor site to get some strong cartilage grafts to reconstruct your septum and to help stabilize the repair.  You need a reconstruction by an expert.

David Q. Santos, MD · Answer

Firstly it is imperative to refrain from any drug use going forward as collapse of the nose can be seen with chronic cocaine use.  And, any surgery performed requires abstention otherwise healing will be compromised. A full nose straightening nasal surgery is required including a septoplasty however sometimes the septum needs to be reconstructed and with any procedure there are no guarantees.  The risk is greatly outweighed by the potential benefit of The surgery.

Michael Elam, MD (retired) · Answer

Dear erinlondonio, A septoplasty can be performed to help repair a deviated septum. An examination would be necessary to understand why your ENT would make a statement that recovery was questionable. Since I have been performing septoplasty procedures for over 30 years it is common to see patients who have had a history of cocaine abuse. Often in these patients there may be a perforation in the septum that needs addressing. Best regards, Michael V. Elam, M.D.

I need a septoplasty due to a severely deviated septum and crooked nose from a fall. Can I get one safely? (photos)

Answers (4)

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